New Caney woman found guilty of capital murder

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 27, 2007

After less than three hours of deliberation, 13 jurors found Colette Angela Richnow guilty on two counts of capital murder Wednesday in the 410th state District Court of Judge K. Michael Mayes.

She was automatically sentenced to a life in prison without parole because the prosecution did not seek the death penalty.

Richnow was on trial for the murders of William E. Lewis, 83, and Louise Lewis, 75, who were found dead in their New Caney home on Jan. 24, 2006.

Her boyfriend, Terry Don Wilkerson, 38, of New Caney, is also accused of killing the Lewises, and his pre-trial is set for November.

Defense attorneys John Choate and John MacDonald submitted papers for an appeal immediately following the verdict.

They argued that much of the prosecution's evidence was based on speculation.

Although the Lewis' belongings were found at Richnow's and Wilkerson's hotel room, Choate told jurors, Richnow was "only hanging out" with Wilkerson to have a good time.

"The issue is, what evidence is there that she was at the scene of the crime and participated in it?" Choate said.

He debated the DNA evidence presented, saying it wasn't enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt Richnow was at the Lewis' home.

Investigators collected about 1,000 pieces of evidence in the case.

"Montgomery County should be proud of the job law enforcement did in this case," Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Joel Daniel said. "Justice has been served."

Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Yarborough explained how Richnow and Wilkerson could have walked to the Lewis' home from the hotel where they were staying in New Caney. She also rebutted Choate's arguments with witness testimony.

As Richnow was escorted out of the court in handcuffs Wednesday, tears began forming in her eyes. Some of her family members began crying at the verdict, as did the Lewis' family members.

"It's done damage to two families," said William Lewis's daughter, Ruby Baronaske. "We're just all glad she is put away, so she can't do any more harm to anyone else."